Tag Archives: Joe Powell

Eutaw City Council receives positive financial news; approves funding for August 26 municipal election, begins absentee voting

Posted on by

Special to the Democrat by John Zippert,
Co-Publisher

This is a report of the two regular Eutaw City Council meetings on July 8 and 22, 2025. Mayor Latasha Johnson and all five City Council members were present except Valarie Watkins at the July 8 meeting and Tracey Hunter at the July 22 meeting.
At the July 22nd meeting the Eutaw City Council received positive financial news from Ralph Liverman, Financial Advisor, who submitted a financial report for the nine months of the fiscal year from October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
Liverman pointed out that the City of Eutaw had repaid all but two payments on a $500,000 loan from Merchants and Farmers Bank taken out in 2021, with a 3.5% interest rate, to purchase new equipment to maintain streets in the city. The remaining payments of $22,338.16 will be made by September 15, 2025.
This fulfills a promise made by Mayor Johnson for responsible handling of the financial affairs of the city, by paying off this needed loan during her first term in office. Liverman indicates that this will free up $134,028 of funds for use in the General Fund, for the new annual budget for 2025-26. This additional funding may help the city get other needed equipment and staff to repair potholes, culverts and other street problems.
A second piece of good news was a report from Liverman of General Fund Revenue and Expenses for 9 months of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Liverman states in his report, “ As of June 30, 2025, you should have collected at least 75% of the budgeted revenues for the fiscal year, and your expenditures should not exceed 75% of the budgeted amount.”
“As of June 30, 2025, you have collected 97% of budgeted revenues. It is obvious that you will exceed the budgeted projection for revenues.

All of your major revenue sources such as property tax, franchise tax, sales tax, and privilege licenses have or should exceed 100% of budgeted amounts.”
“General Fund Expenditures are running at 78% of budgeted amounts, but most of your single payment items (such as insurance) have been paid. Unless some major event happens, you should end your fiscal year with a surplus in the General Fund.”
These reports were in the council member’s meeting packets but were not analyzed and discussed by the members in the public meeting. This was strange to me, as a reporter who regularly covers Council meetings, since the Council professes great concern about its powers to oversee and approve city finances. In fact, the Council has used limited finances to justify rejecting the Mayor Johnson’s requests to buy a new tractor and mowers, increase staff and staff pay, even rejecting some trips for city staff to travel to training, as part of their supervision of finances.
There was another example of this strict financial supervision at the start of the July 22nd meeting. The Mayor asked to add payment to two contractors for grass cutting at the Mesopotamia and Clarence Thomas cemeteries. Councilman Woodruff objected to considering payment of this item until he and the Council received more information justifying this expense. Mayor Johnson said the grass in the cemeteries needed cutting and this expense was in the budget, so as part of her day-to-day authority she had the grass cut. Woodruff’s motion initially prevailed to block payment for the cemeteries to two separate contractors. However, at the end of the meeting, the Council approved payment of bills including grass cutting at the cemeteries.
At the July 22nd meeting, the Council approved a resolution (No. 2025-8) providing $25,000 for expenses in holding the municipal election on August 26, 2025. It also approved several changes in election poll officials.

Absentee Voting in Municipal Election is Underway

Joe Powell, Assistant Election Manager announced that Absentee Voting is underway. Voters can come to the City Hall on Monday to Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Thursday and Friday from 8:00 AM to Noon, to request an absentee ballot for someone who is homebound. Voters can also walk-in and request an absentee ballot, if they are not going to be in town on election day to vote, and vote right then. August 19 is the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot to vote by mail. August 21 is the last day to walk-in and vote absentee.
Powell said, “We are following instructions from the Alabama Secretary of State on the rules for absentee balloting. You can go to this website to see the rules and apply for an absentee ballot, without coming to City Hall to vote by mail in this election, if that is your preference. Be aware that you will need a copy of your driver’s license, or acceptable state ID, to get an absentee ballot and vote in this election.”
In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:
• Approved Resolution No. 2025-9 for Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday for February 20-22, 2026.
• Approved travel for City Attorney Zane Willingham and City Judge Joshua Swords to attend annual Municipal Law Conferences.
• Approved payment of claim of $89 for Christopher Branch.
• Approved recommendation from Zane Willingham on Planning Commission rezoning.
• Approved payment of $1,976 for annual dues to the Alabama League of Municipalities
• Approved payment of $952 for annual dues to National League of Cities.
• Approved payment of bills, including grass cutting in the cemeteries.

Mayor Johnson announced that a public hearing would be held in August concerning sidewalks and a traffic roundabout at the intersection of Highway14 and Highway 43. The date will be announced later.
Chief of Police Johnson announced Police Night Out will be held September 9 at 5:00 PM at Carver School to improve community relations.
Danny Cooper announced that the Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce was sponsoring a political forum for all candidates in the municipal election on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the Courthouse Square starting at 10:00 AM.

Eutaw City Council sets election for August 26, 2025; Qualifying begins June 10 and ends June 24.

Posted on by

The Eutaw City Council in its regular meetings on May 8 and 27 set the basic rules for the Tuesday, August 26, 2025, election for Mayor and five City Council positions by district. If no candidate wins a majority of the votes for Mayor or in their district for City Council member, there will be a Run-off Election scheduled for September 23, 2025, for the top two vote-getters in each race.
The election is open to all registered voters who have lived in the city or their respective district for 30 days or more prior to the election. The polls will be open from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM on election day and for the run-off election, if necessary.
The Polling places are District 1: Greene County Baptist Christian Center; District 2: Eutaw Activity Center, this is a change from Robert H. Young Community Center (formerly Carver School) because the center is closed for repairs; District 3: Morrow Brown Community Center in Branch Heights; District 4:First Presbyterian Church; District 5:National Guard Armory; and the Absentee Ballot at City Hall.
The Council approved the Notice of Election, Setting Polling Places, Appointing Election Officials and other necessary steps for holding the election in August. This included a request to the County Commission to use county owned electronic counting machines for the election, which has been approved by the County Commission. City Clerk Sha’Kelvia Spencer and Assistant Clerk, Joe Powell, are the main election officials and absentee ballot managers.
Qualification for office begins June 10, 2025, daily from 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and goes for two weeks until June 24, 2025, at City Hall. You need to see the City Clerk to qualify. The qualification fee is $50.00 for the mayor’s office and for a city council seat. You will also need to file a Statement of Economic Interest with the State Ethics Commission, within five days of qualifying for office or you may be disqualified.
The City Council then discussed payment of $6,500 in claims for repairs to driveways from Eugene Bryant, Dorothy Beverly, and Mary McMillan . Mayor Latasha Johnson said that she had made the repairs because they cost less than $10,000 each and were part of her “day-to-day responsibilities” as mayor. Council member Tracy Hunter said she was not aware that the Mayor had a threshold of $10,000 for spending, without approval by the City Council. Mayor Johnson said that this threshold had been agreed to at the beginning of her term to allow for emergencies and other immediate demands.
This discussion was a repeat of a continuing dispute between the Mayor Johnson and some of the City Council on her authority to conduct the day-to-day business of the city and their responsibility for finances. Mayor Johnson said she would ask for prior approval of expenses when possible and adhere to her $10,000 threshold for emergency expenses, that were within the city’s approved budget. The Council then voted to approve the $6,500 expenditure.
In other business, the Eutaw City Council:
Approved a request from Chief Tommy Johnson to purchase ammunition for officer’s firearm training.
Approved Sams registration and renewal for five years.
Approved the Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Annual Report.
Approved easement request for Alabama Power to connect power to
Alabama Fiber building behind the National Guard Armory.
Approved travel and expenses for several city staff and police officers to attend conferences and training.

The conflict over responsibilities and control of finances came up again in the Council comments section of the agenda. Councilman Woodruff asked the Mayor about refilling potholes on Ann Street, trash collection near the lagoon and status of the city’s small tractor. The Mayor replied that she needed authorization to buy materials to fix the potholes in many city streets and asked for this to be placed on the next agenda. She said that rainy weather had delayed the trash pick-up near the lagoon. The Mayor also reported that the city’s small tractor had turned over while cutting a ditch and there was still a need for a larger tractor and bushhog to cut grass in the city. “We are thankful that the tractor accident did not result in any injuries to the driver,” said Mayor Johnson.
Councilman Woodruff asked Mayor Johnson, “What is the best way to communicate with you? I have tried sending emails and calling but you do not respond. Then we wind up asking questions in the meeting which leads to a hostile environment in the meetings.” Mayor Johnson did not directly answer this question, but said, “The Council should help me to accomplish my day-to-day responsibilities.” She did not specify the best ways to communicate with her.
Council member Valerie Watkins asked about trucks parking on streets in the city and causing damage. The Mayor asked Watkins to find out who owned the trucks, so she could deal with the problem. Watkins said she was reporting the problems but was unable to find the identity of the truck owners.
Residents of the city who regularly attend the City Council meetings are dismayed that the Mayor and Council have not found a way to overcome disagreements and conflicts in the best interest of all the city’s residents.

Eutaw City Council approves loan to complete Streetscape and other road projects; raises sewer rates and adopts budget

Posted on by

Mayor Latasha Johnson presents certificate of completion for City Clerk’s training over a four-year period at the University of Alabama, to Joe Powell, Assistant City Clerk. Shekelvia Spencer, City Clerk, earned a similar certificate but she was not able to attend the meeting.

The Eutaw City Council met on Tuesday October 22, 2024, for the third meeting this month and completed consideration of issues posed in the prior meetings on October 8 and 15, 2024. All Council members were present.

The Council heard a report from Craig Williams, Thompson Engineering of Tuscaloosa about outstanding projects. The concrete work for Streetscape is nearing completion for sidewalks and universal access around the old Courthouse Square. The final landscaping phase, where trees and shrubs will be planted is yet to come.

Williams said the project cost was $1 million paid to the contractor and a matching $270,000 for 20% matching and design and engineering cost. There was an agreement between the County Commission, Industrial Development Authority and the City to share in the matching. The GCIDA did contribute $80,000 but the County Commission said it could not find authority in its minutes to pay a share of the matching costs. This left the City of Eutaw to bear an additional part of the cost.

Williams also reported that the Rebuild Alabama Project to repave 3 miles of the Lower Gainesville Road has been awarded and signed by S. T. Bunn, prime contractor. The State will pay $316,672 for the project, in a lump sum up front payment. The City will be responsible for the remaining matching and engineering cost of $113,000 for this project. This project will be started in November and be finished by the end of the year.

The Eutaw City Council approved Resolution No. 2024-28 which allows the City of Eutaw to borrow up to $300,000, from Merchants and Farmers Bank, for the completion of the Streetscape and Lower Gainesville Road projects. The resolution allows the City to pledge revenues from its Four Cent and Seven Cent Gas Tax Accounts for a period of up to 24 months,
as security for the loan.

With this loan, the city will be able to satisfy its financial matching obligations for these two important projects. The City had planned to use the gas tax funds, for matching, to make these and other improvements to roads and bridges in the city, so these resources will still be committed to this purpose. The City may need to schedule additional road improvement work, based on funds available in the gas tax funds, taking into account the loan repayment.
The City Council approved Ordinance No. 2024-7 which raises garbage collection rates from $15.00 to $18.00 for residential customers and $18.00 to $21.00 for small businesses. These rate increases go into effect immediately and will be reflected in the next water and sewer bills for the month of October. The Council already approved an increase in water and sewer rates to cover the costs of these city services.

The Council also adopted Draft No. 3 of the City of Eutaw Budget for 2024-2025 fiscal year which began October 1, 2024. This draft reflects the new water, sewer and garbage rates, which should cover the cost of these services and not reflect a deficit, as in previous earlier versions of the budget for the current fiscal year. Other smaller changes were made to the General Fund in this third version of the budget, prepared by Ralph Liverman, Financial Advisor.

In other business, the Eutaw City Council:

• Approved Resolution No. 2024-29 establishing a credit card policy
• Approved a statement limiting overtime hours to 2 or 3 hours weekly, for employees, unless there is a disaster that requires more work time.
• Approved use of the R. H. Young Community Center Gym, at no cost, for the Greene County Childrens Policy Council, for a public purpose.
Approved $1,380 for installation of a K-9 kennel for the police dog.
Approved $4,800 yearly software subscription for the Eutaw Police Department for Code Enforcement Case Management, which is required by state regulations.
Approved reimbursements to city employees for supplies they purchased, based on receipts submitted
Approved $300 for meals, parking and other travel expenses for Mayor Latasha Johnson to attend Annual Neighborhood Community Leadership Institute in Baltimore, Maryland on October 31 to November 3, 2024
Raised questions about and did not approve a contract submitted by Eagle Internet for use of the city’s water tower for wireless high-speed internet.
Approved payment of bills.

In her mayor’s report, Latasha Johnson asked for a moment of silence for the victims and survivors of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Month. The Mayor also announced a citywide celebration for all children of Halloween on October 31, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the RH Young Community Center. This will be a safe way to do “trick or treating”.

 

Eutaw City Council meets Jan. 9th, hears from CPA, engineers, and others

Posted on by

The Eutaw City Council held its first meeting of the new year on January 9, 2024. The mayor and all council members, including newly appointed District 2 member, Jonathan Woodruff were in attendance.

The Eutaw City Council heard a report from Rick Harbin, its Certified Public Accountant on the status of the audit for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022. Harbin passed out and read from a draft report and collected the reports after his presentation.

Harbin said he was still refining the numbers and would have a full report with an opinion on the city finances by the end of the month. He went over the major findings including that the city had total assets of $12.9 million dollars. Complete details will be available when the official report is released. Harbin said some of the delay was caused by the city switching to a new accounting system and some was based on personal family emergencies that required his attention.

Harbin said once the 2022 fiscal year audit was issued, he planned to move ahead with the 2023 fiscal year report, which will go more smoothly.
Mayor Latasha Johnson said the audits were needed to apply for grants to assist and improve the city facilities. Angela Henline, the city’s engineer for the water and sewer project supported this saying she needed to report to ADEM, when the audit would be ready to be able to apply for continuing grants on the city water and sewer improvement projects that she is supervising.

The Council approved a Proclamation naming January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in the city. The proclamation highlights the importance of citizen awareness of the problem in helping to resolve it.

The Council approved an agreement with the Sixth Day Saddle Club for using parts of the Lock 7 City Park for horse rides, trail rides and horse shows.

At the request of City Police Chief, Tommy Johnson, the Council approve purchase of a police dog for the city for $23,000. The Chief has raised $20,000 for the dog from the public and was asking the Council for the additional $3,000 needed to acquire the dog. The dog will be able to do search and rescue operations for people lost around the city, as well as drug enforcement during traffic stops or when asked by the school system or others to investigate for drugs.

The Council chose Tracey Hunter, District 3 Councilmember, to be Mayor  Pro Temp, to assume the duties of the mayor, in the case of  her absence.  Hunter was unopposed for the position.

Assistant Clerk, Joe Powell opened bids for the sale of the city owned, but inoperable, Greyhound bus, which is parked behind the National Guard Armory. LA Transportation offered $2,500 and Cliff Taylor offered $2,700 for the bus. The council awarded the bid to Taylor.

The Council agreed to a Work Session on January 22 at 4:00 PM to review and discuss a property rental policy for city facilities, like the Robert H. Young Community Center and the National Guard Armory. The council agreed to rescind charges for using exercise equipment that had been donated to the city for use by residents to improve their health and wellbeing.

The Council approved a plan for the Rebuild Alabama Funds that it receives for road and bridge improvement. There is not enough money to do all the needed projects but the plan lists and prioritizes work on the most needed project.

Angela Henline, engineer for the city’s water and sewer improvement project made a report on current work underway and requested approval for the next set of projects, which was approved by the council. This included awarding of contracts for pump station improvements and upgrading the Lower Gainesville Road Force Main.

Mr. Ralph Liverman, City Financial Advisor gave the Council five reports on financial issues and bank balances, one of the reports on the lack of income from rental of city owned properties will be discussed at the upcoming work session.

The Council approved liquor licenses for the sale of beer and wine at Eutaw Station Inc. (formerly One Stop) on Highway 43 and or a new Dollar General Market, that is being built on Highway 43.

The Council approved paying of bills and tabled a $500 claim for damage, by the Eutaw Fire Department, to a mailbox and basketball goal for ReShonda Daniels.

District 5 Council member, Jacqueline Stewart, who works at the Love’s Travel Center said they were interested in stronger security on weekends and wanted help from the Eutaw Police Department. The Mayor and the Chief agreed to meet with Love’s and see what could be worked out, similar to efforts made with Rock Tenn.

In the public comments, Siegfried Williams, Pastor of the Freedom Rock Church, renewed his request to purchase five acres from the city as a site for the church and community center. The city is conducting an appraisal of its properties to determine a fair market price.

Eutaw City Council meets on Nov. 28, 2023 opens bids for restroom repairs

Posted on by

The Eutaw City Council met for its regular second meeting of the month on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. The Mayor and four council members: Jacqueline Stewart, Tracey Hunter, Valerie Watkins, and Larrie Coleman, were present.

Joe Powell, Assistant City Clerk, opened bids for repair of two rest rooms at the Robert H. Young Community Center (former Carver School).
There were two bids, and the Council awarded the bid to M&H Construction Company for $17,500. He also opened bids for repair of one rest room at the National Guard Armory. M&H Construction was again the low bidder at $7,500 for this work.

The Council asked the Mayor and staff to carefully check the bonding and insurance qualifications of the low bidder to make sure they were in compliance with the bid requirements and specifications before award the bids.

The Council also approved advertising for sale of a used Greyhound bus using the city’s website, to determine if there is any interest in purchasing this surplus item.

The Council tabled a sale of land on Boligee Street to the Greene County Commission, for construction of a water park. There were questions about the nature of the proposed water park and the inclusion of a redemption clause in the sale if the project is not built within a reasonable period of time.

An offer of $6,000 from Freedom Rock Church to purchase four acres of city owned land, was rejected by the Council for being below the fair market value of the land. The church proposed to purchase land on the Lock 7 Road, near the City Park, for construction of a church and community building. The Mayor said, “We are supportive of building the church and community facilities, but we want them to pay a fair price We will try to get an appraisal to show the fair market value of the land.”

The Council, which has vacated the District 2 seat of LaJeffrey Carpenter, agreed that December 6 was the deadline for residents of the district to send a letter of interest in the position; and that the Council will interview applicants on December 11 for the position, so an appointment can be made, and the position filled at the December 12 next regular meeting of the Council.

The Council received several financial reports from Financial Adviser Ralph Liverman on the status of city bank accounts. They also voted to pay bills that had been processed by staff for payment.

In the public comments section, there were several comments from residents, including Faye Tyree and Vivian Carpenter that the City of Eutaw was not moving forward as quickly as they wished.

Greene County Commission holds organizational meeting

Posted on by
Corey Cockrell

Garria Spencer

The newly elected Greene County Commission met on November 16, 2022, at the William M. Branch Courthouse for its organizational meeting.
All commissioners were present, including Garria Spencer-District 1, Tennyson Smith-District 2, Corey Cockrell – District 3, Allen Turner – District 4 and Roshanda Summerville – District 5.

Allen Turner, the current Commission Chair turned over the meeting to the attorney to conduct the election for officers. Spencer nominated Tennyson Smith and Summerville nominated Corey Cockrell for Chairperson of the Commission. Corey Cockrell was selected Chair by three votes (Summerville, Cockrell and Turner) to two votes for Smith.

For Vice Chair, Spencer and Summerville were nominated. Garria Spencer received three votes (Smith, Spencer, and Turner) to two votes for Summerville, and was elected Vice Chair. Committees will remain the same, although Turner and Cockrell will switch out their committee assignments.

The Commission agreed to meet on the second Monday of each month at 5:00PM and to hold a work session to hear reports and develop the Commission meeting agenda on the Wednesday, before the second Monday at 5:00 PM. The group agreed to use Robert’s Rules of Order to conduct business.

The Commission will maintain bank accounts with Citizens Trust Bank and Merchants and Farmers Bank, with the Chair, Vice-Chair, CFO-Mac Underwood and County Administrator, Brenda Burke as signatories.

Mac Underwood gave a financial report for the Commission as of October 31, 2022, the first month of the fiscal year, 2022-23. The report showed $6.9 million in Citizens Trust Bank and $3.9 million in Merchants and Farmers, and $872,063 in Bond Sinking Funds. Commissioner Turner asked the CFO to distinguish between restricted and unrestricted funds so that the Commissioners and the public will know that all these funds are not available for discretionary expenditure and only a small amount of funds are not budgeted or required to be spent for specific purposes.

The report also showed that the County Commission spent $1,241,663 for operations during October including $703,850 for Rebuild Alabama road and bridges expenses paid by the State of Alabama. The expenditure report showed the county general fund and agencies had remaining funds in their budget within the range of 90 to 96%, which means that their spending was in conformity with the budget, that allows for 92% of funds to remain for use later in the fiscal year.

In the Public Comments section of the meeting, Mrs. Marilyn Gibson, the Chief Librarian, requested assistance from the Commission to fix a leaking roof, which was endangering the books in the library. “The Commission covers the expenses of the library, including insurance. We had the insurance adjusters to come and look at the damages, but we have not received the report, and we need to fix the roof,” said Ms. Gibson.

Carrie Logan, representing the Eutaw Chamber of Commerce said that the Chamber had secured the Stillman College Band for the Eutaw Christmas parade, however $1,600 was needed to pay for three buses to transport the band members to march and play in the parade. Logan asked for assistance from the Commission toward this expense.

Joe Powell, Chair of the Greene County EMS Board, thanked the Commission for helping the ambulance service meet its financial obligations, including payroll, for the past three months. Powell asked the Commission to attend a meeting with the municipalities and other agencies seeking the long-term viability of the ambulance service for Greene County.